Concerns of Xu and Lu family

In the Xu residence during dinner time. Madame Xu Jin wife of prime minister Xu, had investigated the daughters of the Lu family. The daughters of the Lu family are going to be daughter-in- laws soon, needless to say every detail about them should be checked with scrutiny. No blemish shall fall on the Xu family name, madame was strict with regards to this. At the table was matron of the Xu family who is the mother of prime minister Xu and Xu Jin's mother-in-law. Prime Xu and Xu Da their son, we're also present at the table.

Xu Jin opened a conversation during their supper : "I looked into Lu family's daughters. Based on age Lu Mei is the eldest daughter, she is beautiful and talented in playing guqin (musical instrument) also has a rich taste for clothes and jewellery. But she has no control over her mouth. Will voice her opinion boldly."

Xu Da : "That means she will be difficult to handle."

Xu Jin: "Indeed but it would be better for her to be your bride. Based on age, naturally she will wed to Xu Guoqiangnas they both are the eldest. I have no intention of marrying my son to the illegitimate child of the Lu family."

Matron Xu: "An illegitimate child with the pride of our family. Is simply unacceptable."

Xu Da: "What have you found out about the second lady of the Lu family mother?"

Xu Jin: "She has no presence in the Lu family. Ghostly as if she does not exist. If she does then she passes her days by quietly obediently without causing trouble."

Matron Xu: "No matter how she behaves a girl without proper background cannot be my grand daughter-in-law."

Xu Jin: "Mother Guoqiang is 3 years elder to Xu Da the eldest will marry the eldest of the Lu family."

Matron Xu: "Guoqiang is a disgrace and a disgrace should marry another disgrace I will never accept a lowly daughter of a concubine into this house. I still cannot forget the way that Guoqiang almost killed my poor son." Memories of the frightful night passed by their minds. Young Guoqiang was always obedient. He never spoken much, even when was bullied in the Prime minister mansion he kept quiet. But when his younger brother was hurt Prime Minister Xu, Guoqiang sprung the candle stand at him, and stab Prime Minister's ear lobe. Three servants held Guoqiang but neither one could make the sixteen year old boy budge. That is when Prime Minister faced him eye to eye, he saw death in his eyes, Prime Minister till day doesn't speak of this incident, after that episode everyone in the mansion maintained distance from Guoqiang. 

Matron Xu: " Xu Da, what do you think about the daughters of Lu?"

Xu Da: "I do not think of it. The moment emperor bestowed this marriage so hurriedly I gave up on this issue. No matter who I marry it won't help me in the court I will have to take care of my own business. While first daughter sounds like a nuisance but the second daughter's non existent nature makes me feel it would be easy to make her do my betting, she will be obedient. If we treat her well she will definitely be loyal to me. It may not be so bad."

Matron Xu: "No matter what you plot this blood line cannot be tainted. I'm adamant on it." With that remark the conversation was closed no body dared to venture any further given the matron's discontent feeling.

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Meanwhile in the Lu family.

In the evening, at the main hall, the daughter and mother duo were discussing about the dowry, the decorations, invitations and everything concerning the marriage. Lu ke enters.

Lu Mei : "Father look how does this look." Excitedly as she shows the silk cady that had arrived from the stores today.

Lu Ke : "It looks exquisite."

Lu Hua : "She fought for that piece with the other buyer."

Lu Ke : "Mei I told you to behave! You cannot behave like an uncultured pauper."

Lu Mei is someone who cannot keep quite and will tell her mind out. "But I needed it for my dowry! I need to hold my own in the Xu mansion. We are not as wealthy as them but my dowry cannot resemble our status. I will not be respected even by the servants there."

Lu Ke realised that his daughter needs to match the status of her groom's family to earn their respect.

Lu Ke: "Right. My daughter is right. Father could not earn a lot but father brought such great marriage match."

Lu Mei : "Yes, father you brought the marriage with the high class Xu family. You deserve credit for it but it still not good for me."

Lu Ke : "How so?"

Lu Mei : "I'll be married to that brute general! You didn't even think that I'm older than that leech Wei and because of which, I will be married to the general. While she gets herself a young advisor of the court, the future prime minister, a handsome man. This is unfair!"

Lu Hua : "Yes, my lord. What if that man hits our daughter?"

Lu Ke : "Listen to me carefully both of you. I think, it's better you marry the general. I saw the Royal Enunch Dai give advice to Wei. He said something that I did not understand but it felt like he was indicating that the general was the better match of the two."

Lu Mei : "You are blinded by your thrist to achieve a higher rank as an official! But you have no brains for it."

Lu Hua : "Mei! This is no way to speak with your father!"

Lu Mei : "I'm telling the truth! General was the deposed crown prince. So if he revolts and becomes the emperor. Father will become the father-in-law of the emperor. And on the another side Xu Da will become prime minister so you will be the prime minister's father-in-law. Both way only father has gain. But you did not even hesitate. You could have sold Wei but you also sold your own daughter!"

Lu Ke boiled with anger and raised his hand to hit his daughter.

Lu Hua, the wife interrupted and held her husband's arm that was raised to slap his daughter.

Lu Hua : "Lord please do not! She has her wedding in two weeks! she should not incur any injuries, please appease you anger."

Lu Ke : "LOCK MEI IN HER ROOM! Till the day of your wedding you are not to be seen outside your room. You will learn to respect me. When you fall in trouble at the Xu mansion. I will not assist you. KNOW THAT! My efforts is the reason why your basking in these rich silks and jewellery. Otherwise we all will be begging on the streets! Learn to appreciate! Look at Wei she makes no complains."

Mei stormed out.

Lu Hua : "My lord, how can you behave like this! These are the last days in her maiden house. Rather than making her happy you brought tears in her eyes. She will not be here with us. She's leaving to her groom's house!"

Lu Ke : "Given her personality she will be kicked out from there."

Lu Hua : "As her father how can you say that! Don't you want her to be happy?"

Lu Ke : "You saw how she behaved."

Lu Hua : "What has she said wrong?"

Lu Ke : "She is considered the best dressed in the whole of capital. That is because of my efforts and the money I make. Look at you. Aren't you well-fed, well-kept, well-cloth and a house in the capital. What do you lack?"

Lu Hua : "She is exactly like you! She gets anger faster than anyone just like her father."

Lu Ke : "She does not respect me because her mother does not respect me." And storms out the main hall.

'What do I lack?' Lu Hua thought to herself. To her all men were the same, power hungry, greedy and self observant. Her father married her of, to a promising individual. He was the record keeper at the trade unit, since he pulled a favour for her father, she was married to him. And with her father's sponsorship Lu Ke became the trade customs collector. Lu Ke stayed at his in-laws house until he could finally move to this mansion in the capital. To Lu Hua, her husband's sister Lu Lian was admirable. She married someone she loved against her brother's wishes. She lacked money but her face glowed with happiness. She lacked jewellery but her husband kept her as if I she made of gold. Lu Hua lacked the love and adoration of her spouse. She did everything that is fit to be desirable. If Lu Hua and Lu Lian were to be present in the same room, Lu Lian will glow despite not wearing any gold. Her face will look like a blossomed flower. It is the self-love and love of her spouse, that makes a women glow. Not riches. But this her husband never understood. In terms of status he maybe superior to Wei Xian, but it was Wei Xian who had the best of the riches to give his wife and daughter, his love, devotion, respect and time. Lu Ke was more of an court official, than a husband and a father; who had no understanding of it.